place of hope - News - The Coastal Star2024-03-28T08:26:37Zhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/place+of+hopeCelebrations: Hope in Bloom; Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club, Boca Raton — April 25https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/celebrations-hope-in-bloom-royal-palm-yacht-country-club-boca-rat2023-06-27T16:06:23.000Z2023-06-27T16:06:23.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12127399476,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12127399476,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="12127399476?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12127399678,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12127399678,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="360" alt="12127399678?profile=RESIZE_400x" /></a><em>The ninth annual Place of Hope </em><em>Angel Moms Brunch and Benefit was a record-breaking success. It was an inspiring day filled with possibilities for the future of aged-out foster youths, single mothers and dependent children as well as trafficking survivors. Angel Mom Amy Kazma received the 2023 Leighan Roberts Rinker Angel of Hope award. Place of Hope also recognized Hasan Dickinson as Outstanding Youth of the Year. </em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em><strong>TOP:</strong> Renee Feder and Wendy Sadusky. </em><br /><em><strong>MIDDLE:</strong> (l-r) Lisa McDulin, Dickinson and Kazma. </em><br /><em><strong>BOTTOM:</strong> (l-r) Susan Brockway, Dee Balderston and Lori Rizzo. </em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong><em>Photos provided by Coastal Click Photography</em></strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12127399693,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12127399693,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="12127399693?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></p></div>Celebrations: Project Hope Fashion Show Saks Fifth Avenue, Boca Raton — Feb. 9https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/celebrations-project-hope-fashion-show-saks-fifth-avenue-boca-rat2023-05-02T18:00:01.000Z2023-05-02T18:00:01.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}11062464867,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}11062464867,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="11062464867?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><em>Local business leaders and longtime Place of Hope supporters modeled the latest fashions down the runway during an elegant and energetic presentation by the swanky department store in Town Center at Boca Raton. Funds raised aid the nonprofit’s aged-out and homeless youths and single mothers and their children. The event kicked off the annual Angel Moms Brunch, which will celebrate the 10th year of the Leighan and David Rinker Campus. ABOVE: (l-r) Bob and Karen Sweetapple, Tami Constantine and Charlie Koligian. <strong>Photo provided by Coastal Click Photography</strong></em></p></div>Celebrations: Angel Tree; St. Lucy Catholic Church, Highland Beach — Dec. 9https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/celebrations-angel-tree-st-lucy-catholic-church-highland-beach-de2022-02-01T17:13:42.000Z2022-02-01T17:13:42.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10063188495,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10063188495,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="10063188495?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><em>St. Lucy Catholic Church’s Palm Beach Diocesan Council of Catholic Women collected clothing, diapers, toys and other essential items throughout the 2021 holiday season as part of the Angel Tree program and then lovingly wrapped them for their recipients. Volunteers presented the items to the Birthline/Lifeline program as well as to Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse, Fisher House and Place of Hope in an effort to cheer up underserved mothers during Christmas. </em><strong>ABOVE:</strong> <em>(l-r) Susan Hiles, MaryLou Goldberg, Karen O’Neil, Katherine Bowers, Eleanor Hoffmann and Anne Dunn. </em><strong>Photo provided</strong></p></div>Highland Beach: Illumination Awardshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/highland-beach-illumination-awards2020-03-04T18:16:10.000Z2020-03-04T18:16:10.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960932267,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960932267,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="600" alt="7960932267?profile=original" /></a><em>Place of Hope’s second recognition ceremony on Jan. 28 at St. Lucy Catholic Church honored local leaders in law enforcement as well as elected officials. Keynote speaker Liza Smoker discussed human trafficking, one of the nonprofit’s focus areas. Smoker said 48 human traffickers have been arrested in Palm Beach County, much due to the efforts of those receiving awards. ABOVE: (l-r) Highland Beach Police Chief Craig Hartmann, the Rev. Martin Convey, Highland Beach Town Commissioner Peggy Gossett-Seidman, attorney Richard Slawson, Place of Hope CEO Charles Bender and Palm Beach County Commissioner Robert Weinroth. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p></div>Hope Bash Boca: Boca West Country Club, Boca Raton — Nov. 2https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/hope-bash-boca-boca-west-country-club-boca-raton-nov-22019-12-31T18:31:08.000Z2019-12-31T18:31:08.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960928266,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960928266,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960928266?profile=original" /></a><em>The seventh annual Place of Hope event recognized Kelly Fleming and NCCI Holdings as Jay DiPietro Hero of Hope honorees and benefited programs at the charity’s Leighan and David Rinker Campus. ‘Under the Palms’ was the theme, and live and silent auctions, music and dancing were featured. ABOVE: Jeannine and Leland Morris.</em> <br /><strong><em>Photo provided by Coastal Click Photography</em></strong></p></div>Ribbon-cutting: Place of Hope, Boca Raton — Sept. 9https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/ribbon-cutting-place-of-hope-boca-raton-sept-92016-11-02T00:34:00.000Z2016-11-02T00:34:00.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960679485,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960679485,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="600" alt="7960679485?profile=original" /></a><em>The Leighan and David Rinker Campus for foster children celebrated the grand opening of its newest home with local dignitaries and organization supporters. The home will accommodate six girls and their house parents. ‘Everyone here has played a part in making this campus what it is today, and we are not done,’ Place of Hope Executive Director Charles Bender said. ‘We have one more cottage left to renovate, and the renovations have already been generously underwritten. This campus will be home to three times the number of people it houses now, and none of it would be possible without your help.’ ABOVE: (l-r) Brad Hurlburt, president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, with Susan Brockway and Patrick Boroian. <strong>Photo provided by Abigail Marsicano</strong></em></p></div>Coastal Stars: Two ‘Angel Moms’ have multiple roles in helping foster childrenhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/coastal-stars-two-angel-moms-have-multiple-roles-in-helping-foste2016-09-29T17:25:16.000Z2016-09-29T17:25:16.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960675479,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960675479,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960675479?profile=original" /></a><em>Jeannine Morris, left, and Bonnie Boroian are co-chairs of the fourth annual Hope Bash Boca on Oct. 28.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Photo provided</strong></p>
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<p><strong>By Maria Puleo<br /><br /></strong> Jeannine Morris and Bonnie Boroian, Highland Beach neighbors and friends for more than 10 years, have a common passion. They are committed to Place of Hope, a faith-based children’s organization with campuses in Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties that provides a nurturing home environment for foster children and young adults who have aged out of foster care. <br /> “These kids are right here in our community,” Morris said. “I think it’s really important to show them that people care and that there’s hope out there.” <br /> At Place of Hope on the Leighan and David Rinker Campus in Boca Raton, Boroian and Morris are Angel Moms, working to raise awareness, sponsor events and offer hands-on help, such as cooking meals for the kids and mentoring. <br /> The two were tapped to be co-chairwomen of the fourth annual Hope Bash Boca, a gala fundraiser that will be held at the Boca West Country Club on Oct. 28 to benefit the programs and operations of the Boca Raton campus, which is an expansion of the Palm Beach Gardens-based Place of Hope. <br /> Boroian, 58, having been a professional performer, brings her artistic side to the bash, while Morris, who has a background in investment services, brings her financial understanding for the many dollars that are needed for the growth and upkeep of the Place of Hope mission.<br /> The theme of the bash, “From Broadway to Boca,” was an opportunity for Boroian to enlist the help of a friend who had been in a Broadway show with her years ago, and is now a teacher at Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach. She worked with him to select song and dance numbers that are “full of hope” and will be performed by students of the school, and other local children.<br />About 500 people are expected to attend the event, which costs $250 per person, and includes a live and silent auction. Last year, net profits from Hope Bash Boca were $135,000. The profit goal this year is $200,000.<br /> Morris, who did not wish to share her age, first got involved with the organization more than a decade ago, when a friend invited her to a luncheon to support the Place of Hope campus in Palm Beach Gardens. <br /> “I knew there was a great need, and was so intrigued and impressed by what they were doing,” she said.<br /> Several years ago, Morris invited Boroian to a “Party with a Purpose” that she hosted, and as a result, Boroian got involved. <br /> “It’s incredible to see the growth of the Angel Moms, and the momentum that is occurring as a result of each person trying to get involved in their own way and inviting a friend,” Morris said.<br /> There are about 150 Angel Moms. Boroian chairs member development for the Angel Mom Leadership Board. <br /> The campus also continues to grow. The children reside in three homelike cottages, one of which had its ribbon-cutting ceremony just last month. Another cottage will open later this year, and money is being raised to build a fifth cottage, as well as a building with apartments for young adults.<br /> Both Morris and her husband, Leland, who have three grown children, have been supporters of Place of Hope. Earlier this year, an Art, Education and Wellness Center, for which they gave the lead gift, was dedicated on the Boca campus in their name. <br /> Recently, Morris and her husband became licensed respite foster parents, providing short-term care for children when their full-time foster parents need to deal with a life event, or taking in newborns directly from the hospital until a longer-term foster family can be found, or the babies can be reunited with their biological parents.<br /> “That really was kind of the icing on the cake for me,” Morris said. “Being able to go through the process with Place of Hope to become licensed is really what I’m most thrilled about and feel the best about doing.” <br /> Morris’ other charity work includes her involvement with the cooking ministry of Spanish River Church, which delivers meals to people in need; and the Best Foot Forward Foundation, which focuses on the educational needs of foster children. <br /> Boroian, a mother of five, as well as the founder and CEO of Blissfully Better, a Boca-based company that makes chocolate confections using organic and low-glycemic ingredients, has also been a volunteer for Boca Helping Hands. She still lends financial support to several organizations, including Career Transition for Dancers and The Actors Fund in New York. <br /> Now, both women devote the majority of their charity work to Place of Hope.<br /> “Initially, we volunteered to try to make a difference in the lives of the children at Place of Hope, yet through our involvement, Place of Hope has made a beautiful difference in our friendship,” Morris said.<strong><br /><br /></strong></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;"></p></div>Hope Bash Boca: Boca West Country Club, Boca Ratonhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/hope-bash-boca-boca-west-country-club-boca-raton2016-09-28T20:03:19.000Z2016-09-28T20:03:19.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960667864,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960667864,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="600" alt="7960667864?profile=original" /></a><em>Oct. 28: The Place of Hope and its Leighan and David Rinker Campus will benefit from an evening of auctions – live and silent – and dinner and dancing to the theme ‘From Broadway to Boca.’ Time is 6:30 p.m. Cost is $250. Call 483-0962 or visit placeofhoperinker.org. ABOVE: (l-r, front row) Laura Campbell, Bonnie Judson, Sung Knowles, Melissa Bonaros, Kelly Fleming, Marguerite Gregorio, (middle row) Martha Yacoub, Lynda Levitsky, Leticia Butkevits, Maria Fife, Bonnie Boroian, Jeannine Morris, Deborah Gaslow, Shari Parson, Nikki Stelzer, (back row) Neil Saffer, Trisha Saffer, Eileen Needleman, Andrea Reid, Julie Lyons, Kaley Campbell and Wendy Cottiers. <strong>Photo provided by Carla Azzata</strong></em></p></div>Garden Party Angel Moms Brunch and Benefit: Boynton Woman’s Club, Boynton Beach – April 21https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/garden-party-angel-moms-brunch2016-05-31T19:49:51.000Z2016-05-31T19:49:51.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960652873,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960652873,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7960652873?profile=original" /></a>More than 250 guests donned their brightest fashions to celebrate the arrival of spring and herald the work being done to help foster children at The Leighan and David Rinker Campus, a residence operated by Place of Hope. Activities included a silent auction, musical performances and the presentation of the 2016 Angel of Hope award to Deborah Gaslow, a former foster child. <strong>ABOVE:</strong> (l-r) Bonnie Wintz Boroian, Andrea Reid, Eileen Needleman, Karen Baker, Laura Frione and Bonnie Judson. <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960652676,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960652676,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7960652676?profile=original" /></a></em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em><strong>ABOVE:</strong> Saily Perkins and Kathleen Clarkson. BELOW: (l-r) Kimberly Boldt Cartwright, Pamela Stolle, Jeannine Morris, Ellen Hoffman and Nicola Littenberg. </em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960653488,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960653488,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7960653488?profile=original" /></a><strong>Photos provided</strong></em></p></div>Men’s All-Star Dinner and Auction: XPE Sports, Boca Raton – Feb. 6https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/men-s-all-star-dinner-and-auction-xpe-sports-boca-raton-feb-62016-03-30T12:23:23.000Z2016-03-30T12:23:23.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960646301,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960646301,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7960646301?profile=original" /></a><em>Place of Hope’s families and supporters — men and women alike — celebrated the Super Bowl at an elite training facility for athletes. A nutritious meal and energizing auction benefited the children and young adults in the organization’s care. ABOVE: (l-r) Tiel Villani, Laura Campbell, Lisa McDulin, Andrea Reid, Denise Day, Leticia Butkevits, Jennifer Lentoski and Karen Baker. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p></div>Garden Party Angel Moms Brunch and Benefit: BoyntonWoman’s Club, Boynton Beachhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/garden-party-angel-moms-brunch-and-benefit-boynton-woman-s-club-b2016-03-29T21:00:00.000Z2016-03-29T21:00:00.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960637483,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960637483,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7960637483?profile=original" /></a><strong>April 21:</strong> Place of Hope will bring together supporters of the agency’s Leighan and David Rinker Campus for an event featuring a festive brunch and spring blooms. Time is 11 a.m. Cost is $125. Call 483-0962 or visit placeofhoperinker.org. <strong>ABOVE:</strong> (front, l-r) Committee members Melissa Bonaros, Veronica Parzygnat, Martha Yacoub, Bonnie Judson, Sung Knowles, Trisha Saffer, (back) Karyn Turk, Jennifer Gene, Joy Dolgon, Suzette Hernandez, Jeannine Morris, Lisa McDulin, Deborah Gaslow, Bonnie Wintz Boroian and Neil Saffer.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Photo provided by Carla Azzata Photography</strong></p></div>Dine for Hope: Table 26, West Palm Beach – Sept. 14https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/dine-for-hope-table-26-west-palm-beach-sept-142015-11-04T16:55:38.000Z2015-11-04T16:55:38.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960604477,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960604477,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="446" alt="7960604477?profile=original" /></a><em>With the theme ‘Cellar & Chef,’ this year’s culinary caper raised more than $37,000 for area foster children and Place of Hope. Funds will be used to purchase school supplies, clothing and recreational equipmen for those in care. <strong>ABOVE:</strong> (l-r) Ron and Susan Pertnoy, with Marti LaTour and George Elmore. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p></div>Obituary: Jane Guntherhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/obituary-jane-gunther2015-03-05T15:30:00.000Z2015-03-05T15:30:00.000ZChris Felkerhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/ChrisFelker<div><p><span><strong>By</strong> <b>Steven J. Smith</b></span></p>
<p> GULF STREAM — A homemaker, volunteer, loving wife and mother with a passion for life, Jane Gunther embodied the ideal to which every parent should aspire, according to her daughter, Debbie Gunther.</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960566877,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960566877,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" width="175" alt="7960566877?profile=original" /></a> “She was a Donna Reed mom,” Gunther said. “She was always there for us. Very active, loved to play tennis. She was also a fanatic about animals. We had two dogs, two cats, every rodent you can name, fish, turtles. My mother just loved animals.”</p>
<p> Jane Gunther died of complications from heart failure on Feb. 17 at her home in Gulf Stream. She was 91. </p>
<p> She was born Jane Davis in Jersey City, N.J., on Feb. 7, 1924, and although she received an associate of arts degree in interior design from Skidmore College, she never took up a career, opting for a homemaker’s life. </p>
<p> The family lived in Dix Hills, N.Y., until 1972, when she and her husband, the late Coulby Gunther, retired to Coral Gables. </p>
<p> Her greatest joys, her daughter said, were her family and friends. She is survived by three daughters, a son, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.</p>
<p> “She loved children, which is why she and my father built the Gunther-Davis Cottage for abused children at the Haven in Boca Raton,” Gunther said.</p>
<p> That organization is now known as the Place of Hope, whose mission is to provide a stable and loving family environment for hurting children and their families. </p>
<p> Executive Director Charles L. Bender III remembered a visit from Jane and Coulby Gunther when it changed hands some years ago.</p>
<p> “They wanted to make sure that her name would remain in perpetuity within the cottage,” Bender said. “I told them that it would. She was a very, very sweet lady. They are a tremendous family with a lot of love for her. It was so apparent. We’re glad the family name will remain here.”</p>
<p> Gunther added her mother’s life touched the lives of many others. A lifelong volunteer, she devoted her time to various hospital auxiliaries and animal welfare causes and was nominated three times for the Boca Raton Junior League Woman Volunteer of the Year award.</p>
<p> “Everybody loved her,” she said. “She accepted everyone — grandchildren, step-grandchildren — as her own. The woman was all heart. You don’t find women like her anymore. She was a true lady, the epitome of the word. Dignified, with an approachable warmth about her.”</p>
<p> Gunther said her mother’s cat, Nutmeg, was one of her last and closest friends — so close, in fact, that the two died within 60 hours of each other.</p>
<p> “Mom’s doctor said her spirit was with Nutmeg and when he died, she let go,” she said. “It’s obvious that those two had a plan with God. It’s hard to find a woman with the kind of class she had. Yet she was so down to earth. </p>
<p> “I remember we once looked for an independent living facility for her. This one place was very high class, where all the women had their diamonds and jewels on. She said, ‘I could never live here. These women are too stuck up!’ She had a wonderful upbringing.”</p></div>